News & Events

Over three million children are being offered the free flu vaccination this winter

Last year's flu vaccine reduced the risk of flu in children by 65%

This year's programme includes children in school year 4 for the first time

Public Health England (PHE) is encouraging parents and carers to
help protect the three million eligible children from flu this winter.

This year, the vaccine, administered in the form of a nasal
spray, is being offered to 2-3 year olds, those in school years, 1, 2, 3
and for the first time, children in year 4. Children aged over 4 in
reception will also be eligible to have their vaccine done in school
this year.

New data published in August of this year showed that last
year's flu vaccine nasal spray reduced the risk of flu in vaccinated
children by 65% across the UK last winter, meaning 65 children in every
100 were protected from flu.

Flu can be very serious illness for little children. They have
the same symptoms as adults - including fever, chills, aching muscles,
headaches and a sore throat. Some children also develop a very high
fever and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis which may
require treatment in hospital.

Dr Paul Cosford, Medical Director for Public Health England, said:

"Young children's bodies can find it hard to cope with flu, so
it is especially important to protect them with the vaccine. The nasal
spray is a quick, effective and painless alternative to needles. Once
ill, children also tend to spread infection more to other vulnerable
family members, such as grandparents, so protecting them is a good way
to protect the rest of the family.

"Getting the vaccine is the best way to help protect against
catching flu. So I urge all parents whose children are eligible for the
free nasal spray not to put it off. It's free because your family needs
it."

Whilst seasonal flu can be an unpredictable virus, the vaccine
is the best form of protection against flu. Vaccinating those who are
most likely to suffer the worst from flu also offers a protective effect
for the rest of the population by reducing the overall spread of the
virus.

The free flu vaccine is also available for pregnant women.
Research shows that under half (48%) of pregnant women got their jab
last year. Pregnancy naturally weakens the body's immune system, and as a
result it can cause serious complications for both mother and her
unborn baby.

Mandira Bhimjiyani had the flu jab whilst pregnant, said:

"When you're having a baby, there are so many things to think
about and prepare for, however making the decision to have the flu jab
to protect my baby was an easy decision and one less thing for me to
worry about.

The vaccine protected me and my unborn child so I could focus on
enjoying being a new mum. I would recommend the flu jab to other mums
as not only is it free but it also quick and safe."

Flu can be particularly dangerous for people with long-term
health conditions. These include: chronic respiratory disease, such as
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis or emphysema; heart,
kidney or liver disease; chronic neurological diseases like multiple
sclerosis or cerebral palsy; and diabetes. Vaccinating children, who are
super-spreaders of the virus, can offer indirect protection to other,
more vulnerable family members.

Nimisha Lakhani, a mother of three and has a long-term health condition, said:

"I have severe asthma and getting the flu is really debilitating
for me, I'm laid up in bed unable to move for at least a week so I make
sure every year all my family get the flu jab including my children
otherwise my condition would be worse."

Those who are eligible for a free flu vaccine should contact
their GP, pharmacist or midwife now, for more information. Parents of
children in reception and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4 are encouraged to
give permission for their children to receive the free nasal spray
vaccination.

Panjabi is the third most spoken language in the
United Kingdom. Millions of Panjabis of the world, including a large
number living in the UK, can read Panjabi (Gurmukhi script). Panjabis
constitute one of the successful communities in every field in the UK
and worldwide, yet they do not have access to reliable and trustworthy
source of information on current affairs and world news in their own
language. Digital information is integral part of modern life. In modern
days Panjabi community has become more aware of this digital
transformation. But their language Panjabi is no on the BBC !!

Increasing number of young Panjabi audiences are
also keen learners of the Panjabi (Gurmukhi) language, each year taking A
Levels courses in large numbers, run by AQA. Availability on online
content in Panjabi will be significantly helpful for them to improve
their language as well communication skills to serve the community
better and a better Great Britain.

There's no doubt that BBC has one of the largest
news gathering operations in the world, with more journalists, in more
countries than any other international broadcaster. It has its reputable
presence in South Asia in terms of extensive coverage of social,
economical and political news across the region including state of
Panjab, in India. All Panjabis would love to stay in touch with rapidly
changing world and will have access to daily updates in their own
language.

UK Panjabi community, as well as across the
globe, would love to have Panjabi (Gurmukhi) made available on BBC
website along with other 15 South Asian languages including Hindi,
Bengali, Nepalese, Burmese and Pashto.